༺ Unshakeable Hawthorn (5) ༻
The last day of my probation finally arrived. It’s a relief that nothing happened over the week.
I guess Enen did have a conscience. Beating someone who had already been beaten by another was just too petty and cruel. There was a protection period for beginners even in games, and those whose main bases had been heavily attacked usually had a grace period where they couldn’t be invaded again.
‘Was I being too nervous?’
Thinking back, the club members have been quiet for the second semester. Instead of trying to impress Louise with outrageous antics like before, they seemed content to enjoy their school life in a more ordinary manner.
Besides, there were people like the principal or Sir Villar to support me even if something did happen. It seems that I just felt more at ease when I was handling things myself. This might be a problem.
‘I’ve developed a slave mentality.’
I sighed in frustration. After four years, I’ve come to see the chains around my ankles as something normal. It wasn’t like I was a servant who was trying to curry favor with a master.
What filled my sight when I lifted my gaze was Marghetta as she drank tea.
“I don’t think you should become a civil servant, Mar.”
“What?”
Marghetta’s eyes widened in surprise at my out-of-the-blue remark.
To be honest, Marghetta had no particular desire to become a civil servant, and I also occasionally mentioned that being a civil servant wasn’t a good fit for me, either. It was just that I had never made such a contextless statement before.
However, the thought that Marghetta might end up like a servant as I did and how sad that would be made it impossible for me to hold back.
“If you’re not allowing me to become a civil servant, then what? Will you take responsibility for me?”
Marghetta blinked for a moment then smiled mischievously. Seeing that made me smile as well. She was definitely getting more aggressive day by day.
It’s a shame. She looked so cute back when she was bashful, but now she spoke so calmly and wasn’t even blushing anymore.
“No matter what you do, I’ll take responsibility.”
“Really? That’s reassuring.”
But the fact that her defense was still weak made it less disappointing. The comfort of seeing her become embarrassed after initiating a conversation herself was something else.
‘Is she seeking confirmation?’
Seeing Marghetta blush quietly while sipping her tea made me think so. Perhaps this was her own way of seeking reassurance about affection.
I rejected her marriage proposal last year, and I also gently pushed her away when we met again at the academy despite being aware of her feelings. How could anyone remain unaffected after such an experience?
Even if she was outwardly fine, it wouldn’t be surprising for her to develop an affection deficiency. Perhaps that was why she was seeking comforting words to fill that void.
‘What a predicament.’
Just exactly how much of an ass was I in the past?
“Carl, I have a question.”
“Oh, yes. Feel free to ask.”
Marghetta’s voice managed to dispel the creeping sense of self-loathing I had towards myself.
“Um, by any chance…”
Her hesitation made me curious. It wasn’t like Marghetta to hesitate, so what did she want to ask about?
But pressuring her would only make it harder for her to speak. I should just wait—
“What do you think about having multiple wives?”
Patiently…?
‘What?’
What kind of question was that?
I mean, I understood the words she used, but what did she mean by them?
***
Seeing Carl’s confused look almost made me sigh.
I fully understood his feelings. Initiating this conversation was already making my head spin, so I couldn’t even start to imagine how must Carl feel.
‘I didn’t have to do this.’
I feel both foolish and pathetic. Why was I doing this when there was no need for me to go this far?
Putting in a good word about Louise to Carl was something I could do. It was entirely within my capacity. However, giving these blatant hints was on a different level altogether. It might even turn him off.
Still, what was done was done. I’ve already let it slip.
“Actually… there’s another person who likes oppa.”
I remembered what Lady Louise said yesterday. At the time, I almost dropped the teapot. To think that her question about being okay with having three was actually about this…
Thinking back on it, it wasn’t such a shocking statement. If a man was attractive in my eyes, then he was likely attractive to others, too. It wouldn’t be strange if others had a crush on Carl that I didn’t know about.
The only thing that mattered was why she brought it up in front of me.
“Irina also wishes to be with oppa. That is… if you would allow it…”
She followed it up with a lengthy explanation, but it was easy to understand what she was getting at.
In summary, she wasn’t aspiring to be the first wife but was asking for permission to be considered for the next position. She wanted to say this herself but couldn’t just visit suddenly, so she hoped to come by tomorrow.
…Honestly, hearing this from Lady Louise was quite abrupt, but it felt different from a surprise visit by the person in question or getting an early heads-up from a third party.
“It’s been a while, Lady Irina.”
So, we finally met. Although I had my reservations, I didn’t reject her.
I was aware that Lady Irina’s family, the Count of Yorun, suffered due to the Prosecutors’ Office. Father even tsked, asking how such a mess could happen.
And now, the victim had fallen for Carl, the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how tough that journey must have been.
‘It’s not my place to say anything.’
How could one interfere with someone else’s feelings, especially when she had been fretting over it in her own way?
“If your feelings for Carl are sincere, then I won’t stand in your way.”
“Th-thank you!”
Seeing her display of happiness made me feel like I had made the right decision.
But did Lady Irina know that my consent wouldn’t be the end of it? Considering Carl’s past, the road ahead might not be so smooth.
If Carl doesn’t accept Lady Louise and Lady Irina, if he pushes them away and they end up hurt—
‘It’s no good.’
They would likely endure the same pain I’ve gone through over the past year.
“Polygamy is common among high nobility, isn’t it? I was just wondering what Carl thinks about it.”
“Well, yes. It’s quite common for some to have multiple wives.”
That was how we had come to this point. I spoke up because I wondered if Carl might stick to monogamy, forever pushing those two away.
It was just nosiness on my part. I had nothing to lose by remaining silent. In fact, considering that I could have Carl’s love all to myself, it might even be better to stay quiet.
But how could I? I couldn’t just keep my mouth shut after knowing that someone I knew was about to tread a thorny path.
‘Do they even know how hard I’m working for them?’
The thought of the two ladies’ faces almost made me laugh. No, this was all on me; I couldn’t take credit or use it as an excuse to incur a debt.
‘Is there really anything to be considered a debt in the first place?’
What I was doing was merely asking Carl’s opinion and trying to positively influence him towards accepting multiple wives. Regardless of what I say, there was nothing to be done if Carl himself disliked the idea.
Yes, this wasn’t a debt. I was just doing this because I wanted to.
***
An insignificant comment can sometimes stick itself in someone’s mind. That was the case right now.
‘Polygamy.’
The word continued to echo in my mind even after Marghetta left.
Truth be told, I’ve never really cared whether someone had multiple wives or only had one. Using the mindset of a modern person to protest ‘How old-fashioned!’ wouldn’t quite work here. After all, rofan settings often mirrored medieval periods or early modern Europe.
Moreover, wouldn’t I have to challenge the class system itself if I were to criticize polygamy? It’d be a bit odd for me to enjoy life as a noble and then suddenly make a fuss about it.
“If their feelings are mutual, then it doesn’t matter if there are many. It’s not like we live in an era where people are forced into marriage, so it should be fine.”
That was what I replied to Marghetta. With the emperor and the dukes having multiple wives, not to mention the nobility below them, opposing polygamy would only make me seem like a dissenter.
“If the feelings are mutual… Yes, that’s what matters.”
She nodded in approval, seemingly pleased with the answer.
‘What on earth is happening?’
Although it seemed like I had chosen the right answer, I still wasn’t sure what her intention was. But it should be alright since it passed without incident… right?
Yes. It was enough as long as Marghetta was happy. What could be more important than that?
And since nothing happened up to the last day of my probation, it was more than enough.
***
I forgot the saying ‘It’s not over until it’s over.’
“Ah, Advisor, long time no see! How have you been?”
“Fine.”
Things were really fine until you came. Why bother coming when we’re going to see each other tomorrow anyway?
I managed to suppress the urge to retort and nodded. After all, I couldn’t just tell someone who came to visit me to get lost or ask why he came.
Calm down. Even though this guy gave me a hard time in the first semester, he hadn’t done anything now. Besides, this probation was a result of my actions towards Rutis. This was a heartwarming story of a victim coming to comfort the aggressor.
“It took longer than I expected to prepare. I was worried it might be too late, but fortunately, it’s just in time for the last day!”
Rutis laughed and handed me a box.
“This is invigorating food for a released prisoner.”
‘This bastard.’
What’s with the wording? Just call it invigorating food.
“It’s quite a famous dish, but I’ve never had the chance to see it for myself.”
“I see.”
Giving a prince food meant for a prisoner would make them a traitor, after all.
I cautiously opened the box at his urging despite the rising unease, revealing a white cake.
…Cake?
‘Why is it so plain?’
And a cake for a released prisoner?
Upon closer inspection of the cake’s surface, the number 1377 was engraved on it. What was that about?
“Normally, the prisoner’s number should be there. But since the advisor doesn’t have one, I used this year’s date instead.”
“Ha.”
I burst into laughter. This bastard. His joke was actually funny this time.
After sending Rutis away, I laughed again when I found out that the cake was made of *tofu and not flour.
I guess being confined for a week makes even the smallest things funny.
FOOTNOTES:
*Tofu – The idea of eating tofu after being released from prison is a very unique cultural concept tied to the Korean language and culture. For Koreans, the color ‘white’ is a symbol of peace, freshness, and purity. In short, giving tofu to someone who has just been released is similar to congratulating them on their chance at a fresh start.
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